Speed, build quality, sharpness wide open, fantastic image quality, smoothness of operation. Even the price is nice - one of the better values out there right now, I think.

Weakness:

A little heavy, but then this is medium format - everything's at least a little heavy.

This lens is fantastic for existing light, low light, and selective focus. If you only shoot in the middle of the day at f/11 or smaller, save your money and get the f/2.8 version. However, if you want the freedom to shoot handheld in low light with wonderfully shallow focus, this is your lens.
Wide open this lens is still nice and sharp and the tonality it renders is gorgeous. The out of focus image (bokeh) is soooo creamy and smooth. Abolutely beautiful results. Nice color rendition, too.
Even if you don't already shoot 645, if you want MF negatives and you want to get them in low light or if you want a great tool for selective focus, buy the lens and a body to put it on. It's perfectly paired to an old 645 1000s, which can be had for less than the cost of the lens.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Various Mamiya lenses for 645 and the RB/RZ.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jun 07, 2003]

Fugazi Dave

Professional

Strength:

Speed, build quality, sharpness wide open, fantastic image quality, smoothness of operation. Even the price is nice - one of the better values out there right now, I think.

Weakness:

A little heavy, but then this is medium format - everything's at least a little heavy.

This lens is fantastic for existing light, low light, and selective focus. If you only shoot in the middle of the day at f/11 or smaller, save your money and get the f/2.8 version. However, if you want the freedom to shoot handheld in low light with wonderfully shallow focus, this is your lens.
Wide open this lens is still nice and sharp and the tonality it renders is gorgeous. The out of focus image (bokeh) is soooo creamy and smooth. Abolutely beautiful results. Nice color rendition, too.
Even if you don't already shoot 645, if you want MF negatives and you want to get them in low light or if you want a great tool for selective focus, buy the lens and a body to put it on. It's perfectly paired to an old 645 1000s, which can be had for less than the cost of the lens.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Various Mamiya lenses for 645 and the RB/RZ.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 17, 2001]

Jon Laye

Professional

Strength:

Bright viewfinder, sharp, fast aperture

Weakness:

none noted

This lens is sharp and fast. On the Mamiya Super and Pro it offers the brightest viewfinder I have ever seen on any MF camera. Even wide open it is sharp enough for portraits and general shooting. It also focuses rather close for a lens of this type

Similar Products Used:

various lenses from Mamiya, Bronica, Hassleblad

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 17, 2001]

Jon Laye

Professional

Strength:

Bright viewfinder, sharp, fast aperture

Weakness:

none noted

This lens is sharp and fast. On the Mamiya Super and Pro it offers the brightest viewfinder I have ever seen on any MF camera. Even wide open it is sharp enough for portraits and general shooting. It also focuses rather close for a lens of this type

Similar Products Used:

various lenses from Mamiya, Bronica, Hassleblad

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 26, 2001]

Peter Glock

Expert

Strength:

fast; excellent image quality;

Weakness:

large and heavy in comparison to the 80mm f/2.8

excellent lens for all types of photography.

Similar Products Used:

55mm f/2.8; 150mm f/3.5

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 26, 2001]

Peter Glock

Expert

Strength:

fast; excellent image quality;

Weakness:

large and heavy in comparison to the 80mm f/2.8

excellent lens for all types of photography.

Similar Products Used:

55mm f/2.8; 150mm f/3.5

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Mar 27, 2001]

Christophe Mincke

Intermediate

Strength:

Very good sharpnessReally rapidDelightful to use

Weakness:

Heavy (better used with a stick or winder)Bayonet of Mamiya is not really easy to use

Realy good lens with the marvellous M645.1000S. Good for use in calm conditions, not really for action photographs... but who would think of a Rolls Royce to F1 competition? Mamiya is good quality for reasonable prices.

Customer Service

not requiered

Similar Products Used:

35mm f:3,5

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Mar 27, 2001]

Christophe Mincke

Intermediate

Strength:

Very good sharpnessReally rapidDelightful to use

Weakness:

Heavy (better used with a stick or winder)Bayonet of Mamiya is not really easy to use

Realy good lens with the marvellous M645.1000S. Good for use in calm conditions, not really for action photographs... but who would think of a Rolls Royce to F1 competition? Mamiya is good quality for reasonable prices.